CHAGRIN FALLS, OH - Chagrin Valley Little Theatre will commence its 83rd consecutive season with the annual Murder by the Falls event on September 7th and 8th, 2012. This event has served as CVLT's major fund raiser for over 20 years, and marks the official beginning of a packed calendar that includes four musicals, eight plays, and a variety of special events over the next twelve months. While the ticket proceeds from the theater's regular performances go largely toward the cost of mounting the productions themselves, the money raised from Murder by the Falls goes to the theater's general operating and facilities expenses. This year's event is sponsored by Chardon's Junction Auto Sales along with several other local businesses and contributors listed on CVLT's website at CVLT.org.

The format of the event has remained roughly the same over the years as it as grown in popularity, often selling to capacity. The evening begins with a pre-show hors d'oeuvre reception with a wine and beer cash bar, followed by Act I, in which the crime is committed. During intermission, the audience prowls N. Franklin and Main Streets in Chagrin Falls Village looking for clues hidden in the shop windows, and interviews live actors to gain additional info about the suspects. A catered dessert buffet follows, where audience members fill in answer sheets with their best guesses. The evening completes with the revealing of the killer's identity in Act II and prizes being awarded to the winning team.

Each edition of Murder by the Falls is an original comedy/mystery written and performed by the theater's "regulars" and friends. This year's script, entitled "River Street Blues," is the fourth to be penned and staged by brother/sister team Andrew and Greta Rothman, both of whom have been involved with CVLT for nearly three decades. Set in the local police station, the plot involves the mysterious death of a former IVEX paper mill plant worker while in police custody. Was he killed by a fellow inmate, someone with plans to renovate the old mill, or perhaps by a rogue cop with an axe to grind? It's up to the audience to ferret out the truth. As with previous Rothman concoctions, the dialog is teeming with groan-inducing puns, locally-themed satire, television spoofery, and general silliness.

Mr. Rothman will make his seventh appearance in the role of 'Inspector Gotcha', and will be joined for the fifth time by Michelle Kaiser as his sidekick, 'Detective Ketchum'. Ms. Kaiser will be making her final appearance in the role, having relocated to North Carolina last year. The show also features Adam Young as the grouchy police sergeant with his over-eager rookie partner played by Steven R. Tiderman; Pat Mazzarino appears as a cracked undercover officer; Laura Lindaur plays the tough police captain who manages a donut-munching patrolman played by Steve Pike and the booking officer played by Paula Pike; Brenda Redmond appears as the Assistant D.A. with Shelly Artz as the medical examiner; Natalie Dolezal appears as a young moving violator; Eric Oswald plays as a shady construction worker with Don Bernardo as his former business partner. Local television personality (and Murder by the Falls veteran) Jan Jones appears as an ice cream making entrepreneur. The show is directed by Greta Rothman and will feature cameo appearances by Chagrin Falls Chief of Police James Brosius, Chagrin Falls Mayor Thomas Brick, and South Russell Mayor Matthew Brett.

Tickets for Murder by the Falls: River Street Blues are $50 per person, with $25 of that cost being a tax-deductible donation to Chagrin Valley Little Theatre. Tickets are available by phone at 440-247-8955, Monday through Saturday from 1-6 PM. Audiences for Murder by the Falls are grouped into teams of eight 'detectives,' and are therefore encouraged to reserve for their entire party at once if possible. Complete details on CVLT's 83rd Season are available online at www.CVLT.org. The theater is located at 40 River Street in historic Chagrin Falls Village, and is generously funded by Cuyahoga County residents through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture and supported by the Ohio Arts Council.

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